Patients having vaccine hesitancy is not a new health care challenge, but the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the urgency of helping patients with concerns. Pharmacists are the most accessible and visible health care professionals and also have the unique opportunity to work with patients to address vaccine concerns. According to Drug Topics, the following are things that pharmacists should recognize as causes of vaccine hesitancy:
- Fear of side effects
- Social pressure
- Believing there is a cost (though the vaccine is free to patients)
- Misinformation
- Unwarranted concerns about showing proof of legal residency
With their expertise in pharmaceutical products, including all types of vaccines, pharmacists are in a unique position to discuss such fears with patients. Read the Drug Topics article to learn more.